Contractor chooses stainless-steel tube for two major contracts
Thin-wall stainless-steel tube is being installed by J. Fletcher Engineers for the heating and cooling systems of two developments in Manchester. They are No. 1 Spinningfields and the XYZ building (pictured). Director Steve Fletcher explains, ‘Traditionally, carbon-steel pipework has been used on such projects. We’re using thin-wall stainless steel as it has many benefits.
‘It’s much lighter, so health-and-safety risks during installation are greatly reduced. It’s also cost effective. Corrosion is limited, so the material offers a much longer lifespan than carbon steel — up to 40 years.’
The Spinningfields building is 24 storeys high. It provides 32 000 m2 of flexible office space and a skyline restaurant. It will involve some 3000 m of tube.
The 15 000 m2 XYZ building will see the firm install 5000 m of tube.
The work involves J. Fletcher utilising complex 3D models of each building to efficiently co-ordinate the pipework, ventilation and electrical systems.
Steve Fletcher says, ‘We immediately understood the client’s need to create an innovative and forward-thinking space and set about designing a system that would reflect the “XYZ” way. Winning the project has seen us take on extra staff; we are now a 130-strong workforce. We are also looking for larger premises because of the expanding workload and the rising demand for prefabricated pipework and steelwork.’
